2002 Ford Mondeo ST220 from UK and Ireland - Comments

27th Nov 2004, 04:20

The ST220 is very steady and solid at 260km/h, providing a solid road surface. I had the free flow exhaust and chip fitted through my local Ford dealer, which in turn had it done through Steve's Auto Clinic in South Africa. Apparently there is a chip available in the UK that gives the ST220 the performance of the XJR. Could someone supply a phone number or web address? Cheers.

12th Feb 2005, 05:26

Amazed that anyone could regard a Peugeot 406 V6 as significantly better than the latest Mondeo.

As a design it is several years older than the current Mondeo and is now obsolete having been replaced by the 407.

No doubt a big V6 in a 406 sized car will be quick, but from what I have read it overwhelms the normally capable chassis. Worst thing about it though is its build quality and assembly which, how can I put this, is a bit French! and certainly light years away from the best German quality which Ford aspires to in the Mondeo.

Finally, whilst the Mondeo can hardly claim to have good residuals, a 406 V6 will be virtually worthless after a couple of years!

12th Apr 2005, 01:22

Hope this doesn't put the cat amongst the pigeons too much, but I'm thinking about buying either an Opel Vectra GTS sport, a Subaru WRX or a Mondeo ST. Can anyone comment on how the Mondeo ST compares to say an '03 model Subaru WRX as far as performance, build quality etc goes?

28th Apr 2005, 08:41

To improve performance you could always look at getting a Miltek exhaust and Bluefin chip. Should probably get you an extra 15-20bhp. If you want some serious power, then check out www.engemann.de/. The site is in German, but they do provide some serious tuning options for the ST.

I was driving a ST220 4 months ago, and really miss it. Replaced it with a Focus 1.8 TDCI while I do some house work. Nice car, the Focus, but it doesn't have the all round ability of the ST220!

Whenever I read these comments on this website regarding the ST220, I feel really sad that my performance blue ST is in someone else's hands!

18th Jan 2006, 06:30

There is another car that joins the ST 220 and ST TDCI from the ford range worth considering. I have recently purchased a 2.2 TDCI Titanium X 54 plate. It has the same engine as the ST TDCI the same body kit and sports suspension. They changed this model in 2005 (new rear light cluster) and replaced the bodykit, with standard GHIA , so this older example offers a good and possibly cheaper alternative if you buy used. Performance and handling having driven both St and Tit were the same.

15th Mar 2006, 06:43

After a lot of sitting-on-the-fence the ST220 won hands down as a replacement for my last car of 10 years. The Granada 24V Cosworth was always going to take some beating and in the 170K miles I've put on it I don't see why I should leave the Ford stable. As someone said earlier - Mercs and Beamers on every corner - not everyday you see true performance Fords. Pick mine up in 72hours...

21st Mar 2006, 14:31

I wouldn't touch a diesel Ford personally. The 1.6 and 2.0 TDCi engines used in the new Focus and C-Max are OK because they're basically rebadged Peugeot HDi units, but Mondeo diesels have always been troublesome. Whether it's the old 1.8 Endura snapping timing belts at 20,000 miles, the 2.0 TDDi Mondeos surging and returning less than 30 mpg, or the stalling, rough running and endless firmware update problems well documented on the newer TDCi's, they just aren't worth the risk. Ford make great cars, but they haven't got a clue how to make a half decent diesel engine - never have, and arguably never will.

158 PS from a modern 2.2 diesel is also pretty unspectacular. BMW get 2PS more from 200cc less, and Fiat / Alfa get 42PS more from 200cc more. Sad as it is to say, if you want diesel buy a French or German, or even lately, an Italian car. They're always a step ahead of everyone else.

If Ford had used the twin turbo V6 diesel from the S-Type Jag, that would have been a much better bet, as well as running the ST220 a lot closer on performance and refinement. Another rebadged Peugeot HDi engine by the way which also appears in the new 407 Coupe.

22nd Mar 2006, 03:39

There is no way a ST 220 Mondeo could keep up with a Megane 225. the Mondeo has 3 BHP less and is about 230 KG heavier. Mondeo ST 220 only hits 60 in 7.6 Secs the Megane will do it in 6.3 seconds. So you can try to race a Megane 225 but you will be upset when you lose.

14th Apr 2006, 13:52

I drive a ST220, you should realise the power it kicks! il even take your french loving taste for a spin it, my mate has a r32 and he can't put me to shame neither can my scoop lovin mate, definitely a very fast and great engine, drives like a BMW!.

23rd Jun 2006, 16:50

I got my ST220 4months ago and I love it. Previously drove a BMW 325i, and I can say the Mondeo is a far superior car. Not only is it quicker, but also better specced and a nicer place to sit on long journeys. Badge snobs will never appreciate a fast Ford. Nothing can match it for the price. I also recently drove an SL350, and can safely say the Mondeo is quicker. The engine is far more eager to rev. Good job Ford. Looking forward to the new one.

25th Jun 2006, 18:47

I am driving my ST220 about 6months. The performance is brilliant. I got the estate model and nothing can beat it for space or speed at the same price. The Reccaro seats are the business too. It's a real wolf in sheeps clothing. I would recommend one to anybody.